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Antoine Winfield Jr.’s new contract with Bucs is ‘a dream come true’

When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers landed safety Antoine Winfield Jr. with the No. 45 overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft, they were hoping to land a dynamic playmaker for their secondary.

They did just that, as Winfield has quickly developed into one of the league’s best defenders, earning first-team All-Pro honors after putting up historic numbers last season.

Winfield was rewarded with a four-year contract extension that makes him the highest-paid defensive back in NFL history.

During a press conference to officially announce the move, Winfield said his new long-term deal with the Bucs is a dream come true, but he’s still nowhere near his ceiling:

As a rookie, Winfield was a key part of Tampa Bay’s dominant defensive effort throughout the postseason that culminated in a Super Bowl victory.

Now, Winfield is the best player in the league at his position, one of the most versatile defenders in the game, and he’s being paid accordingly to remain in Tampa Bay.

QB Baker Mayfield

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QB Kyle Trask

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QB John Wolford

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RB Rachaad White

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RB Bucky Irving

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RB Chase Edmonds

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RB Sean Tucker

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WR Mike Evans

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WR Chris Godwin

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WR Trey Palmer

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WR Jalen McMillan

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WR Deven Thompkins

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WR Rakim Jarrett

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TE Cade Otton

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TE Payne Durham

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TE Ko Kieft

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TE Devin Culp

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 04: Devin Culp #83 of the Washington Huskies looks on before the…

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 04: Devin Culp #83 of the Washington Huskies looks on before the game against the Montana Grizzlies at Husky Stadium on September 04, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

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OT Tristan Wirfs

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G Sua Opeta

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OL Graham Barton

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G Cody Mauch

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OT Luke Goedeke

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OL Robert Hainsey

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OL Ben Bredeson

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OT Brandon Walton

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OT Justin Skule

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G Elijah Klein

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OLB Yaya Diaby

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OLB Joe Tryon-Shoyinka

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OLB Chris Braswell

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OLB Randy Gregory

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OLB Anthony Nelson

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DL Vita Vea

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DL Calijah Kancey

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DL Logan Hall

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DL Will Gholston

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DL Greg Gaines

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Nov 5, 2023Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports; Houston, Texas, USA;Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) passes as he is pressured from Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Greg Gaines (96) in the fourth quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports

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LB Lavonte David

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LB SirVocea Dennis

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LB K.J. Britt

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LB J.J. Russell

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CB Jamel Dean

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CB Zyon McCollum

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CB Christian Izien

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CB Bryce Hall

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CB Tavierre Thomas

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S Antoine Winfield Jr.

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S Jordan Whitehead

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DB Tykee Smith

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DB Josh Hayes

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K Chase McLaughlin

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P Jake Camarda

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LS Zach Triner

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Story originally appeared on Buccaneers Wire